It’s a big one. Americana disco wizards the Flying Mojito Bros have worked their magic on Rudy Norman’s cult AOR track, and in so doing have, in the words of Rudy himself, “brought Back To The Streets to the future”.
For the first time, Back To The Streets (1980) finds itself remastered on 12” vinyl alongside official remixes commissioned by the artist, in a welcome new package that will please lovers of glistening disco reworks as well as those seeking a vinyl copy of the original track. The sun-baked electronic disco ‘refritos’ arrive in three versions to suit all occasions – straight up, extended dub and radio edit – and no doubt have the potential to resonate with the huge worldwide desire to get back out there and bond meaningfully with our fellow brothers and sisters in public.
It looks the part too, with Flying Mojito Bros also directing a colourful and cosmic reimagining of the original cover art via illustrator Nick Potts, reflecting the bros’ transportation of Rudy’s West Coast vibes into one of their own Southwestern desertscape settings.
The original track
Back To The Streets has long been a cult crossover disco track, known and played by notable diggers on the scene such as DJ Shadow – in addition to the exquisite opening solo rhodes lines becoming a choice sample for underground producers.
It’s since come to greater attention later in its lifetime, thanks to the inclusion in two compilations by highly-venerated imprints: First Night Tales Presents After Dark: Nocturne (2015), compiled by none other than Bill Brewster, who literally wrote the book on DJing and DJ culture – and latterly on Seafaring Strangers: Private Yacht (2017), a collection released by Numero Group, who do so much to bring cultural rediscoveries to wider audiences.